It was not Real Zaragoza's best performance of the season. Nor was it the match they most deserved to win. They also did not face the best opponent they have come up against so far. But there was a huge need to return to winning ways and dispel doubts with the season already well underway, as nine rounds had been played. And this time, the Blanquillos did not falter.
An own goal by Cano secured victory for Real Zaragoza, who began to find their rhythm in the second half against a highly combative Europa side. The Catalans made up for the clear difference in quality with effort and tactical discipline. At times, they were superior to the Blanquillos and proved to be more than worthy opponents.
THE MATCH
Real Zaragoza made no fewer than four changes to their starting lineup. Sangalli, Pereira, Saidu and Ander Herrera were brought in to add freshness to Ibai Gómez's team after two consecutive games without a win. Rubén Díez was not involved, remaining among the substitutes.
From the first minute, the two different worlds inhabited by Europa and Real Zaragoza were clear to see. The Blanquillos' superiority – wearing red at Can Dragó – could be seen in their ball movement, positioning and passing. The team from the Aragonese capital appeared, in that sense, to belong to a higher division. But they had to turn that superiority into goals.
That would not prove so straightforward. Technique and speed can be compensated for, and Europa did so very well. So well that the chances in the first half were almost monopolized by the Catalans. The first came in the ninth minute. Flavio received a long ball, set himself up and shot wide. That was already more than Real Zaragoza had managed.
View of Can Dragó. Photo: C.E. Europa
Although Real Zaragoza had almost total possession after the opening 25 minutes, they did not create the greater sense of danger. Europa defended deep and organized, aware of their weaknesses, and managed not to concede a single clear chance. At the same time, it was obvious that Ibai Gómez's side needed to step up the pace.
In fact, the second chance also fell to the home side. Teto headed a cross from the flank inside the area, but his effort went narrowly wide. Real Zaragoza were far from comfortable in the 32nd minute of the first half. The third and fourth chances also came from Europa. They were less clear, with shots well off target, but the hosts were creating much more than Real Zaragoza could.
That was the issue. Their theoretically much weaker opponent looked more dangerous. Only at the end, when Europa poorly defended a corner, did Real Zaragoza create some threat. Very little, though. They needed to turn things around in the second half.
SECOND HALF
Real Zaragoza began looking to thread passes through the defense, and they improved somewhat. Thanks to tactical adjustments and Europa beginning to tire, chances started to arrive. Espiau had two in quick succession before the 70th minute, but the clearest came a minute later, when he found himself one-on-one with Nil Ruiz, who kept out a certain goal.
Curiously, Delgado had an almost identical chance in the 78th minute, following a long-range shot by Europa's Campeny. Real Zaragoza had now woken up and were threatening Nil Ruiz's goal, giving the goalkeeper plenty of work.
The goal was not long in coming. Álex Cano, following a header by Diego González, diverted the ball toward his own goal and brought joy to the 700 Blanquillos supporters in attendance. Real Zaragoza took a 0-1 lead at Can Dragó when they had appeared to be victims of their own lack of fluency. That is what allows them to go to sleep top of the table.
The match effectively ended there. Little of note was played after that. Real Zaragoza secured three vital points on a day when their football was lackluster, but they did their job. They had to win after two games without doing so, and they won. Now they must wait for their pursuers to drop points.
MATCH DETAILS
C.E. Europa: Nil Ruiz; Enol Coto, Cano, Sgró, Campeny, Flavio; Gori, Morales (Expósito, 85'), Padillo (Tito, 77'); Teto (Mascaró, 61'), Khalid.
Real Zaragoza: Westerveld; Sangalli, Iranzo, Diego González, Pereira (Tobajas, 77'); Terrer, Ander Herrera (Delgado, 64'); Jardí (Cuenca, 77'), Saidu (Rubén Díez, 55'), Ureña (Pau Sans, 55'); Edu Espiau.
Referee: Ortega Herrera. Booked Lucas Terrer (73'), Tolosa (93').
Goals: 0-1, Cano, own goal (79').
